Tribes haven't issued permits for night hunt

The Chippewa tribes' night deer hunt starts Monday but no one has asked for a permit yet.

The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission last week authorized Chippewa tribal hunters to go after deer in the dark across northern Wisconsin. Night hunting is scheduled to begin about an hour after sunset Monday evening.

Commission spokeswoman Sue Erickson 74 hunters have obtained a marksmanship proficiency rating from their respective tribes, qualifying them for permits. But she said no one had requested one as of late Monday afternoon.

The state Department of Natural Resources has asked a federal judge to block the night hunt, saying it's too dangerous.

Erickson said the tribes plan to file a reply Monday arguing the state allows wolf hunters to hunt after dark.

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